ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Paving the path for Antyodaya of COVID-19 Vaccination: Quantitative Restriction on Export of Syringes Put in Place
Restriction applies to just 3 categories of syringes for 3 months
The Domestic Vaccine Manufacturers and Manufacturers of Syringes have played an important and critical role in the effective implementation of World’s largest COVID Vaccination Program in India. India has so far administered nearly 94 Crore Vaccine doses and is nearing 100 Crore doses administration mark. With firm political commitment to vaccinate India’s last citizen, fulfilling the philosophy of ‘Antyodaya’ espoused by Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay, the Government has put in place a quantitative restriction on export of syringes to boost their domestic availability and uptake.
Syringes are vital to sustain the momentum of the program to vaccinate all eligible Citizens in shortest possible time. With a view to ensure adequate availability of the syringes, used to administer the vaccine, the Government of India has enacted this quantitative restriction on the export of following denominations of the syringes only: -
• 0.5 ml/ 1ml AD  syringes.
• 0.5 ml/1 ml/2 ml/3 ml disposable syringes.
• 1ml/2 ml/3 ml RUP  syringes.
It is also clarified that it is not an Export ban on any kind/Type of Syringes, it is only quantitative restriction on the export of certain type of specified syringes, for limited duration of 3 months. Further, the syringes of denominations and types other than those mentioned above are not covered under Quantitative Restriction.
UPSC
Recruitment Results Finalized by UPSC in March, 2021
The following Recruitment Results have been finalized by the Union Public Service Commission during the month of MARCH, 2021. The recommended candidates have been informed individually by post.
Click here for full list
<><><><><>
SNC
(Visitor Counter : 545
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets people on the eve of Onam
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has greeted the nation on the eve of Onam. Following is the full text of his message -
“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Onam.
Celebrated to honour the memory of King Mahabali, Onam symbolises the high values of honesty, compassion and sacrifice. It is also an occasion to celebrate mother nature’s bounty in the form of new crops in the fields.
May the spirit of Onam bring peace, prosperity and happiness in everyone’s lives.”
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 193.96 Cr
Over 3.43 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 22,416
3,962 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.73%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.77%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 193.96 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,47,05,065 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.43 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,07,223
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,00,42,723
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
52,83,019
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,19,662
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,75,88,656
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
88,80,226
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3,43,23,522
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,74,07,846
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,95,77,787
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
4,61,14,291
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
55,72,93,922
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
49,14,16,143
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
10,20,313
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,32,75,360
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19,11,58,688
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
15,00,725
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,71,09,501
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,92,44,984
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,95,82,480
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3,62,66,763
|
|
Total
|
|
1,93,96,47,071
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 22,416. Active cases now constitute 0.05% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.73%. 2,697 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,26,25,454.
3,962 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,45,814 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 85.22 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.77% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 0.89%.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Cabinet approves extension by three years and revision of PM’s Development Package for Horticulture in UTs of J&K and Ladakh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for extension of timeline upto 31.03.2022 and revision/ re-appropriation of approved components of Prime Minister’s Development Package  for development of Horticulture in the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture .
CCEA approved the following:
 To extend the timeline for implementation of PMDP approved in 2016 beyond 31st March 2019 by 3 years i.e. up to 31st March 2022 with provision of further extension of time by a maximum period of 12 months, if required, with approval of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
 Revision/Re-appropriation of earlier approved components of PMDP within the approved outlay of Rs. 500 crore between UTs of J&K and Ladakh with the provision of further revision, if required, with the approval of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare within the overall financial limit of Rs. 500 crore.
 Revalidation of unspent amount of Rs. 59.07 crore remaining with undivided State of Jammu & Kashmir including Ladakh.
The action plan under PMDP has therefore been modified within the approved outlay of Rs. 500 crore earmarking Rs. 39.67 crore for UT of Ladakh and Rs. 460.33 crore for UT of Jammu & Kashmir.
The implementation of PMDP in the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Region, is expected to generate an estimated 44 lakh mandays employment and will also result in employment in allied sectors such as grading/packing units, Cold Atmosphere /Cold storage units and transportation sector etc. As the high density plantation involves technology and regular upkeep of orchards, therefore, it will also result in overall wage enhancement in the horticulture sector due to the increase in the farmers’ income as a result of the increase in productivity.
Background:
PM's special package for J&K for Rs.500 crore with Rs. 450 crore Gol Share towards restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture in the State of Jammu & Kashmir was approved in 2016 for implementation over a period of three years upto 31.03.2019. The special Package included one- time relaxation in MIDH cost norms for import of planting material of special varieties of apple plants for better survival, early flowering and enhanced fruiting and four wire trellies system expected to increase the productivity 3-4 times.
However, due to time consuming process for import of planting material and quarantine issues, the implementation of PMDP was delayed and the State of J&K requested for extension of time-line for implementation and also revision/ re-appropriation in the components of the approved Action Plan.
Further, the State of J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh w.e.f. 31.10.2019 which required revision of physical & financial targets under PMDP separately between the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of certain businesses of Shubhalakshmi Polyesters Limited and Shubhlaxmi Polytex Limited by Reliance Polyester Limited
The Competition Commission of India  approves acquisition of certain businesses of Shubhalakshmi Polyesters Limited and Shubhlaxmi Polytex Limited by Reliance Polyester Limited.
The proposed combination contemplates acquisition by the Reliance Polyester Limited  of the business undertakings of Shubhalakshmi Polyesters Limited  and Shubhlaxmi Polytex Limited  pertaining to the manufacture of polyester products / yarn as a going concern on a slump sale basis for a lumpsum consideration
The Acquirer is not engaged in any business activity at present. However, post-closing of the Proposed Transaction, it will primarily be engaged in the production and supply of certain petrochemical products such as polyester staple fibre , polyethylene terephthalate chips  as well as different types of polyester yarns. The Acquirer belongs to the RIL group . The RIL group is engaged in the following business activities either by itself or through its group entities in India / the rest of the world:  refining and marketing;  petrochemicals;  exploration and production of oil and gas;  retail;  telecommunication and digital services; and  media and entertainment.
SPL is engaged in the production and supply of, inter alia, the following polyester products in India:  PSF;  partially oriented yarn ;  drawn textured yarn / polyester textured yarn ;  fully drawn yarn ; and  Chips. SPL also exports polyester products to over 35 countries including to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Ethiopia, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Vietnam and Russia.
SPTex is engaged in the production and supply of DTY in India. SPTex also exports DTY to other countries including to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Ethiopia, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Korea, Vietnam and Russia
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Mobile App of PM SVANidhi launched to bring Microcredit facility for street vendors at their door steps
More than 1,54,000 street vendors applied for working capital loan so far across States/ Uts--over 48,000 already been sanctioned
Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the Mobile Application of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi  here today. This App aims to provide user friendly digital interface for Lending Institutions  and their field functionaries for sourcing and processing loan applications of street vendors under the Scheme. The launch event was organised through a video conference in which, besides senior officials from the Ministry, Principal Secretaries dealing with Urban Development Department and other officials from the States and UTs participated.
PM SVANidhi Mobile App is a step towards boosting the use of digital technology and will enable field functionaries of LIs like Banking Correspondents  and Agents of Non-Banking Financial Companies / Micro-Finance Institutions , who have proximity with the street vendors, to ensure maximum coverage of the Scheme. It is believed that launch of Mobile App will give impetus to the implementation strategy of the Scheme besides promoting paper-less digital accessing of micro-credit facilities by the Street Vendors.
Ministry has already launched the Web Portal on June 29, 2020. This App has all the features similar to the Web Portal of PM SVANidhi added with the feature of easy portability. The features include vendor search in the survey data, e-KYC of applicants, processing of applications, and real time monitoring. The App can be downloaded from the Google play store for use by the LIs and their field functionaries. Since the commencement of lending process under PM SVANidhi on July 02, 2020, more than 1,54,000 Street Vendors have applied for working capital loan across States/ UTs and out of which over 48,000 have already been sanctioned.
PM SVANidhi was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, on June 01, 2020, for providing affordable Working Capital loan to street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdown. This scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh Street Vendors who had been vending on or before 24 March, 2020, in urban areas including those from surrounding peri-urban/ rural areas. Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year. On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on quarterly basis. There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan. The scheme promotes digital transactions through cash back incentives up to an amount of Rs. 100 per month. Moreover, the vendors can achieve their ambition of going up on the economic ladder by availing the facility of enhancement of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loan.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Integrated Child Development Scheme
From time to time Government has taken many steps for strengthening Anganwadi Services. These include revision of cost norms of supplementary nutrition, provision of construction of Anganwadi Centres under convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme , provision of drinking water and sanitation facilities under Swacchta Action Plan , enhancement in funds for ECCE etc.
Anganwadi Services is a self-selecting universal Scheme and is open to all the eligible beneficiaries. The scheme is administered and implemented by States/UTs and they have been requested to optimize coverage of beneficiaries including child beneficiaries and to conduct local survey in the area in the jurisdiction of the Anganwadi Centres to get children of appropriate age enrolled at AWCs, if not already done. Further, States/UTs have been also advised to ensure that any child, pregnant woman or lactating mother, coming to the AWC be provided with age appropriate supplementary nutrition, irrespective of their enrollment at the AWCs.
There have been sustained engagements with State Governments for review and improvement including recent interactions to discuss different implementation related issues such as Anganwadi Infrastructure, non-operationalisation of Anganwadi Centres, filling of vacancies of Anganwadi Services functionaries, smooth delivery of services to the beneficiaries etc. to strengthen services. Further, streamlined guidelines were issued on 13.01.2021, covering several aspects such as quality assurance, roles and responsibilities of duty holders, procedure for procurement, integrating AYUSH concepts and Data management and Monitoring through "Poshan Tracker" for transparency, efficiency and accountability in delivery of Supplementary Nutrition has been issued.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Situation of SSL Kolkatanear sundarbans being monitored continuously
International salvage company engaged for salvaging operation
The Directorate General of Shipping is continuously monitoring the situation and providing guidance for securing the estranged ship SSL Kolkata near West Bengal coast, 10 miles away from the Sundarbans. Internationally renowned salvage company - M/s. Smith International, Singapore - has been engaged for salvaging the ship. However, salvage operations are held up due to adverse weather and sea conditions. The salvers have reached Kolkota and the operation will commence once the weather improves. No loss of life has been reported due to the fire in the ship.
The communication centre of the Directorate General of Shipping - DGComcentre, received a call on the 13th last at 2250 hrs, from merchant container ship,stating that the vessel had an explosion in a cargo hold and containers were on fire and requested for assistance. The vessel had 22 crew members and was carrying 464 containers  from Krishnapatnam port, Andhra Pradesh to Kolkata port, West Bengal. Immediately the DGComcentre alerted MRCC Haldia and all concerned authorities of the Directorate General of Shipping, Coast Guard and Kolkata Port Trust to provide necessary assistance to vessel’s Master and crew.
The situation was reviewed early next morning and the Kolkata Port Trust and Indian Coast Guard were requested to render full support to the vessel for dousing the fire, save lives and prevent pollution from ship. The vessel master and crew abandoned the ship due to uncontrollable fire onboard the ship and the Indian Coast Guard rescued the entire crew and brought them to Haldia by their vessel ICGS Rajkiran.
Next day, the technical officers of the Directorate General of Shipping advised to take urgent steps to avoid any kind of pollution as the vessel was floating with fire close to Sunderbans which is an eco-sensitive area. The shipping company and its managing counterpart were instructed to take swift action, with the support of all agencies, experts and salvers to arrest the drifting of the vessel towards international boarder and Sunderbans.
The Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Kolkata convened a meeting with the representatives of Kolkata Port Trust, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Register of Shipping  and Ship owner on the same day and took measures to coordinate and ensure that the ship does not drift towards Sunderbans and Bangaladesh waters. The Indian Navy accordingly led an operation on 16th June, - Indian Navy commandos and 3 crew were flown by helicopter sea king and boarded the vessel safely and anchored the vessel 15 miles away from Bangladesh boarder.
NP/MS
(Visitor Counter : 484
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of noted journalist Ravish Tiwari
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of noted journalist Ravish Tiwari.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Destiny has taken away Ravish Tiwari too soon. A bright career in the media world comes to an end. I would enjoy reading his reports and would also periodically interact with him. He was insightful and humble. Condolences to his family and many friends. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Education
Leverage technology to ensure accessible, affordable and quality education for all- Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan reviews the progress made under NETF and NDEAR
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the progress made under National Educational Technology Forum  and National Digital Educational Architecture  here today. Senior officials of Education and Skill Development Ministry attended the meeting.
NETF will be the guiding body for National Digital Educational Architecture . It will act as the blueprint for creating a unifying national digital infrastructure to energize and catalyze the entire education ecosystem. NDEAR takes on an ‘Open Digital Ecosystem’ approach, where a set of principles, standards, specifications, building blocks and guidelines seek to enable different entities to create elements of the digital education ecosystem.
During the meeting Shri Dharmendra Pradhan called for leveraging technology to ensure accessible, affordable and quality education for all. He stressed on developing high quality course curriculum which can be delivered through technology. He also suggested that technology can also be deployed for carrying out objective assessment.
The Minister said that NETF and NDEAR will provide required institutional governance and bring in greater accountability in the system. He said that a working group involving CBSE, AICTE, UGC, NCTE, NCERT will work on the roadmap for NDEAR and NETF.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
President of India inaugurates the Indian Institute of Mass Communication  North Eastern Regional Campus at Aizawl
Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the President of India on her visit to Mizoram inaugurates the Campus of IIMC North East located at Mizoram University in virtual mode. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication  is an autonomous Institution under the Ministry of I&B.
The IIMC North East Campus began functioning in 2011 from a temporary building made available by Mizoram University. The construction work for the campus began in 2015 and completed in 2019. The total cost is 25 crores. The IIMC permanent campus on the 8 acres of land given by Mizoram University has separate Administrative and Academic buildings along with hostels and staff quarters.
Since its inception, the campus is offering PG Diploma course in English Journalism for which most of the students come from other parts of India and some from the Nort East States. This year, the Institute takes pride in having a topper in English Journalism for the second time. The Campus also enables its students to secure employments in reputed media organisations across the country through campus placements and their own efforts. Year after year, students are establishing their own niche in well-known media organizations like Doordarshan.
From the 2022-23 session, the North East Campus has been chosen to start PG Diploma Course in Digital Media along with two other Campuses of IIMC. This course is started keeping in view the importance and significance of digital media in the present situation.
The Institute express gratitude to all the people who has made contribution one way or the other, particularly MZU for providing both Academic and Administrative support ever since it began functioning in the MZU Campus.
Since its inauguration in 2011, the Institute is headed by Shri. LR Sailo, Regional Director, who has decades of experience in the field of public relations and also served as the Director, Information and Public Relation, Govt. of Mizoram, for over twenty years.
The Indian Institute of Mass Communication  is a premiere Journalism Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was inaugurated in 1965 to cater the training needs of media professionals in the country and other developing countries. It has ever since function as a training institute for Indian Information Service and later on started courses for aspiring journalists through competitive entrance examination. The IIMC has expanded and has institutionalized 5 regional campuses in different part of the country with the aim to meet the need of Media education in the country.